Former RR woman returns to start palliative care business

By Ken Johnston
Editor

With the huge influx of new people moving into or back to Rainy River lately there was bound to be some new businesses generated by them and one such service now being offered in the Rainy River area is “Someone Like Me.”
Deb Hagarty, the daughter of long time residents Alvin and Betty Hagarty, returned to Rainy River this past summer and has just started her new business called “Someone Like Me.” The business is a privately run Palliative Care service.
Unlike the volunteer services available in the area, Hagarty charges for her services but is not bound by restrictions to what she can do for clients. She has been offering this service in Salt Spring, British Columbia where she has been living for the past six years.
She moved out there after losing a daughter in Thunder Bay. “After completing the grieving circle I felt my heart was transformed.” She used her personal experience with grief to help others deal with their own experiences in life, especially those who are nearing the end of their own life. “Bed bound people near the end of their life holding onto their world struggle. I help them keep it as big as they can.”
She says that just about anything can be arranged, from cleaning, to digging out old photos, to writing letters to old friends.
Often volunteer palliative care workers are on a rotation basis which means people needing help may get different workers. Hagarty on the other hand is dedicated to her clients and is the one they will see whenever need be.
She says the work is very rewarding for her personally, living by the motto, “We make a living by what we get but make a life by what we give.”
Anyone who has met Hagarty can feel the kindness she exudes. “I just love people and this type of work just fits with my skills set.”
She does most of her work in clients’ homes and also has a four legged companion that helps her out. A few years ago she was spending five nights a week at a client’s house and she had just gotten a Yorkshire Terrier puppy. She took the dog along and it really became therapeutic for that client. “The dog would lay on their bed and that gave the client something to tell others about. They just loved the experience with the dog.”
Hagarty often acts as a pressure relief valve for families struggling to find time for focused attention on ailing loved ones. “I offer that attention, companionship that signifies quality of life. I believe life is more (complete) when emotional as well as physical needs are met. We all need care and concern.”
In addition to working in a client’s home she is also willing to accompany them to the doctor, dentist, shopping, entertainment outings, etc.”
Anyone interested in her new service in the Rainy River to Emo area, can call her for more information at 852-3219.